Equine Genesis

An imported stayer, purchased to become a hurdler, took out the 2017 Ubet Adelaide Cup (3200m) at Morphettville today. Annus Mirabilis ($9), trained in Melbourne by Stuart Webb, outstayed his rivals to score a length win from Double Bluff ($51) with Master Of Arts ($3.40 fav) a length away third. The winner was ridden by Victorian apprentice Regan Bayliss who landed his first Group I win aboard Redkirk Warrior in the Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday before backing up today in the Group 2 Adelaide staying feature. Annus Mirabilis raced three-wide for a significant portion of the Adelaide Cup before working to the front on the home turn and dashing away with Bayliss comfortable in the knowledge he had the field covered. He was only hands and heels over the final 50 metres allowing the roughie Double Bluff to close but never really threaten. Webb revealed Annus Mirabilis has formerly been part of the stable of prominent Melbourne owner Lloyd Williams but came on the market and was purchased with the ultimate aim of putting him over jumps. However, along the way Webb has trained Annus Mirabilis to win the Bagot Handicap (2800m) at Flemington on New Year's Day and now an Adelaide Cup as the jumping program is put on hold. Now, the Sydney Cup next month is a possible target for the son of Montjeu. Bayliss said he had been confident of victory when he took Annus Mirabilis to the front in the home straight. “I was on a superior stayer,” Bayliss said.